Garage Sale Vinyl: Boots Randolph
Sweet Talk / RCA / 1965
by Christopher Long
It’s a seasoned axiom: “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The same can be said for an album cover, especially in the case of Sweet Talk. While Boots Randolph’s clean-cut suit and tie appearance might create the perception of his music being “square,” that certainly would be a misnomer. In reality, the conservative-looking sax player and his music owned as much street cred as just about any other artist featured so far in this weekly series. But don’t feel bad. I might not have realized that either, had I not rediscovered this 1965 classic buried in a crate, stashed away in my family’s beachside storage garage back in 2022.
The “Pride of Paducah” (Kentucky), Randolph released his signature tune, “Yakety Sax,” in 1963. Although it barely grazed the Top 40 at the time, more than a decade later, it would be recognized and embraced internationally as the perky theme song for the Benny Hill TV show. Heck, even many of today’s most super-savvy TikTokers would (or should) know the tune if they heard it.
Aside from his exhaustive body of work as a celebrated solo artist, the World War II US Army vet also claimed a distinguished rep as an in-demand session cat. As a result, Randolph may be known best for contributing sax tracks on such iconic records as the timeless 1958 Brenda Lee holiday treasure “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” the 1962 Elvis Presley staple “Return to Sender,” and the 1964 Roy Orbison chart-buster “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Now, if that’s all a smidge “square” for my fellow Gen X-ers, let it be known that Randolph also played on “Little Queenie,” the 1972 album cut from long-haired, heartland rockers REO Speedwagon.
Likely due to his relationship with RCA Records, Randolph was connected to the label’s A&R guru and Nashville guitar great, Chet Atkins, on various projects. This also may have prompted the country-flavored pickin’ style that was prevalent on many of Randolph’s recordings. That down-home authenticity would lead Randolph to making frequent appearances on the top-rated TV program, Hee Haw, as a valued member of the show’s distinguished Million Dollar Band.
Owning minimal vocals, yet delivering maximum melody, the Sweet Talk record checked all the boxes required to be cool back in the day — crisp, clean, old-school production that complemented brave guitar tracks, no-nonsense drum work, and LOTS of sax.
The title track was a dirty, sassy little stinger — Gimme a little of that sweet talk, baby. Oh, you crazy thing! “Estrellita” was a slow and sultry standout, while “Blue Guitar” boasted the plunky, reverb-glossed guitar sound and style that’s still sought by many of today’s top players. Sexy and jazzy, the Randolph-penned “Little Big Horn” was a sax-soaked, smoky go-go bar delight — arguably the shiniest stone of this ten-gem treasure trove.
Some 60 years later, Sweet Talk is still fun to revisit, as it remains a faithful audio time capsule from the kinder and cozier era of flat tops, malt shops, and sock hops.
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sweet Talk Track List
SIDE ONE
1. Sweet Talk (Reynolds, Fiocca) – 1:59
2. Estrellita (Ponce) – 2:00
3. Blue Guitar (Fotine, Stanton) – 2:32
4. Little Big Horn (Randolph) – 2:12
5. The Happy Whistler (Robertson) – 1:55
SIDE TWO
1. Greenback Dollar (Morris) – 2:19
2. Percolator (Morrow) – 2:01
3. Difficult (Atkins, Rich) – 2:07
4. I’m Getting Your Message Baby (Rich, Dooley) – 1:58
5. Red Light (Randolph) – 2:17
